Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda), of Central and South America is a relative of the Toucans and pretty bad ass.

Jacamars are butterfly and dragonfly specialists.

That might not sound very exciting but please…

…consider the following:

(That was a Bill Nye reference…anyone? eh?)

First, dragonflies are among the fastest insects in the world. A typical dragonfly can easily top 30mph. More exceptional species have been recorded flying up to 60mph! But the Jacamars have learned to ambush the dragonflies from below and behind where the insects’ vision is poorest. The dragonflies never knew what hit ‘em!

Second, most brightly-colored butterflies are very poisonous to other animals, but the Jacamars know what’s up. They selectively eat the meaty, non-toxic body parts (the thoracic muscles and abdomen) and discard the rest. Take THAT aposematic coloration!

Like I said, they’re pretty bad ass.

(Photo by Fabricio Vasconselos)